St Bede’s Catholic College Stage 2 Reaches Practical Completion

June 28, 2021

The New Dominic Building Officially Open

School Principal John Murphy ceremoniously cut the ribbon of the new Block B “Dominic Building” last week, Stage 2 of the overall school redevelopment masterplan. Throughout construction, RCC worked collaboratively with the school, engaging with students and the school community through virtual site tours, regular construction updates and sharing important project milestones, such as the impressive precast column installation.

Learn more about our precast column solution at St Bede’s

The new Dominic Building offers students contemporary, open plan, flexible learning spaces and smaller breakout areas, plus state-of-the-art science, art and food technology learning facilities. Construction also included the large open walkway, known as the Peregrine Trail, which connects the new Dominic Building to the already completed and occupied Block C. This required careful programme consideration to minimise disruption to students in the adjacent and connecting building.

 

“Richard Crookes Constructions were able to work cohesively and collaboratively with the College and the project team to ensure that the projects outcomes were successfully achieved, resulting in a remarkable education facility being delivered for the community and the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle”
Kurt Daley, Construction Manager, Diocese of Maitland – Newcastle

 

Thank you to Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle for partnering with RCC in this important stage of your masterplan.

Wyong Hospital Redevelopment Prototype

December 11, 2020

Delivering functional, modern hospitals, which are ready to provide critical care from day 1 is essential. Facilities which meet the current and future needs of the local community, achieve the best long-term outcomes for patients and frontline staff. By partnering with clinical and hospital staff and representatives from the Local Health District and Health Infrastructure we are able to design and build state of the art hospital facilities which support the delivery of vital health care in our community.

On the Wyong Hospital Redevelopment, this approach led to the construction of a several prototype on site, which is offering users the chance to see and test some of the future critical clinical spaces and provide valuable input into the design finalisation process.

Our Senior Site Manager on the project, Dane Lalic, says it’s about much more than a ‘Measure Twice, Cut Once’ approach;

“Building a high-quality prototype with the necessary specifications, finishes and equipment allows the end user to live and breathe the design and ensure the completed facility will offer them a fully functional space to provide patients with the best possible care. As a Central Coast local and having delivered a number of hospitals in my career, I understand how important Wyong Hospital is for the community and the positive outcomes which can be achieved through early engagement and collaboration.

It’s important for us to understand the end user of any building; the more we know about their operational rhythms and what is important to them, the better we can deliver a facility which meets their needs. This approach is of course all the more critical when you are delivering social infrastructure projects which provide such important services for the community; it’s a huge source of pride for all of us at RCC to be able to play a role in building state of the art health facilities”

 

Dane Lalic – RCC Senior Site Manager

 

Works have progressed significantly since the first sod was turned on site in late 2019. The construction and fit out of the prototype occurred in conjunction with the early stages of the hospital main development to ensure ample time for end users and representatives from the Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD) and Health Infrastructure NSW to take advantage of the mock facilities. The project team erected a shed on site and delivered the build and integrated fit out to the specifications and finishes required. Providing the most practical and immersive user experience possible is crucial to ensuring that the completed Wyong Hospital campus supports the operational rhythms of hospital staff and patients and facilitates the provision of critical health care services to the growing Central Coast community population. The sample building is now far from its humble beginnings as a shed and, although only a fraction of the size of the future hospital, now contains inpatient and emergency department rooms all delivered to the scale. The RCC project team worked closely with hospital staff and end users, the CCLHD, Health Infrastructure NSW, Colliers Project Leaders, project consultants and subcontractors to carefully plan and deliver the high-quality prototype, complete with equipment, ahead of the user inspections and testing earlier in the year.

Staff will continue to visit the prototype shed, working with the team to select furnishing, fittings and equipment. It will also be used in the future for training and education sessions as staff prepare to move into the new building.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hear from the Central Coast Local Health District team about the impact this prototype facility will have on the final hospital and their end user experience.

 

MORE ABOUT THE WYONG HOSPITAL REDEVELOPMENT

The Wyong Hospital project involves the delivery of a new Clinical Services Building, which will provide the local Central Coast community with a new Emergency Department, additional operating theatres, and ICU/HDU capacity, mental health expansion, additional inpatient beds for medical and acute services, clinical and non-clinical support services and parking.

Due for completion in 2022.

Take a virtual tour through the proposed new facilities, with this short Wyong Hospital Redevelopment fly-through:

 

 

7 Excellence in Construction MBA Awards

November 23, 2020

RCC is honoured to have received 7 awards, including the overall ‘Outstanding Construction Award’ at the 2020 NSW Master Builders Association ‘Excellence in Construction’ Awards.

Being recognised for excellence in construction across multiple sectors and project value categories is incredibly rewarding for RCC. Delivering quality outcomes for our clients, end users and our community is just what we do, so this industry acknowledgment of innovation and quality is a bonus.

Congratulations to the RCC project teams and all our subcontractor, consultant and supply partners involved in delivering these incredible projects.

 

 

 

 

For us, success is about delivering important developments for our local community, working together with our clients and project partners to leave a legacy that we can all be proud of. Congratulations to everyone who played a part in the design and delivery of these award-winning projects.

Interested in these incredible award-winning projects? Keep an eye out on RCC’s social media accounts over the coming weeks for feature stories on each project, showcasing the the innovation and excellence behind their recognition in the 2020 NSW MBA ‘Excellence in Construction’ Awards.

 

‘Excellence in Construction’ Awards Event

Watch the full 2020 ‘Excellence in Construction’ Awards event here:

 

 

UOW’s Social Sciences & Creative Arts Building

September 28, 2020

The University of Wollongong’s (UoW) new state-of-the-art creative arts and social sciences building has been officially opened by New South Wales Governor, Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC.

The four storey, multi-purpose building features a visual arts gallery, two theatre spaces, music performance, rehearsal, recording and production facilities, a fully equipped newsroom, digital design studio, maker space, simulation labs and indoor and outdoor teaching facilities.

RCC is incredibly proud to have played a role in the delivery of this landmark building on the Wollongong campus.

Her Excellency the Governor had high praise for the quality facility;

“I congratulate UOW for delivering on its vision to support communities by engaging them through creativity

The University is headed in the right direction by being an institution providing world-class facilities in which students, staff and local communities can upskill themselves, explore creativity and be equipped to compete on a global stage.

I am confident this new building will live up to its vision and play an important role in Australia’s economic and social recovery post-COVID-19, by equipping the workforce of the future.”

Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC

The building was named the Jillian Broadbent Building, in recognition of retiring UOW Chancellor, Ms Jillian Broadbent AC and her outstanding contribution to the University during her 11-year term.

UOW Vice-Chancellor Professor, Paul Wellings CBE said the University hopes to engage the best creative minds in the country to ultimately drive innovation and growth in the Illawarra region;

“This new facility is built to attract and develop the best social sciences and creative arts minds and to provide a forum for new thinking, innovation, learning and creative expression that will help drive growth within our communities”

UOW Vice-Chancellor Professor, Paul Wellings CBE

To read more from the University about the Jillian Broadbent Building, find the full article covering the opening here.

 

RCC’s Partnership with UoW

The Jillian Broadbent Building is the second facility RCC has delivered on the Wollongong campus this year, with the team handing over the well-publicised Molecular Horizons facility earlier in 2020. The high-quality delivery of this state-of-the-art social sciences and creative arts building, and world-leading Molecular Horizons research facility highlights the strength of the collaborative relationship between RCC and the University.

More about Molecular Horizons

Design, construction and integrated fit out of the five-storey facility within the operational University of Wollongong campus. The building includes office and administration areas with meeting and conference rooms; research and chemistry laboratories (including PC2 and BC2 certified); animal housing; and an astronomy and chemistry roof platform with rooftop mechanical plant.
These state-of-the-art facilities house some of the world’s most revolutionary technology, including Australia’s most powerful biological electron microscope, the Titan Krios cryo-EM microscope.

For more about the Molecular Horizons delivery journey click here or watch the below video to hear from University stakeholders and the researchers who now call the building home.

 

 

The People Behind The WHR Project

September 24, 2020

Our Wyong Hospital Redevelopment Team Is Targeting More Than Built Outcomes.

Successful projects are as much about the positive community impacts of delivery, as they are about the completion of fit for purpose facilities. Partnering with the Central Coast community and industry organisations allows us to create local supplier, training and employment opportunities, and ultimately generate social and economic outcomes which extend far beyond building completion.

With the Wyong Hospital Redevelopment building structure now complete, we are looking forward to being able to handover this important facility for the community, and reflecting on the contribution of the hundreds of people behind the project.

 

MORE ABOUT THE WYONG HOSPITAL REDEVELOPMENT

When it reaches completion, the new Clinical Services Building will provide the local Central Coast community with a new Emergency Department, additional operating theatres, and ICU/HDU capacity, mental health expansion, additional inpatient beds for medical and acute services, clinical and non-clinical support services and parking.

For more information about the Wyong & Gosford Hospitals Redevelopment visit the NSW Governments Project Website.

The project is due for completion in 2021.

 

 

Structure Complete at 32 Smith

September 17, 2020

Topping out the 28-storey structure marks a major milestone in the delivery of this A-Grade 26,500sqm commercial building in Parramatta’s CBD.

RCC and GPT Group welcomed Parramatta’s Lord Mayor Bob Dwyer and representatives from the Western Sydney Business Chamber and future anchor tenant, QBE to join our collective team on site and celebrate project progress, with the ceremonial magnolia tree craned on to the roof slab.

GPT’s Head of Office & Logistics Matthew Faddy, spoke to the contribution the completed development will make to the City of Parramatta’s vision of a world-class commercial and cultural centre in Western Sydney and to the effort of our collaborative team thus far;

“This project is being delivered in exceptionally unusual circumstances.  The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown a curve ball at all of us this year. I would like to thank the Richard Crookes Constructions team, the Parramatta City Council, our consultants and the GPT development team for working together to ensure that the 1,500 people who have worked on the 32 Smith project remained safe and this vital project could be delivered on time.”

Matthew Faddy – GPT

 

Similarly, on behalf of RCC, George Bardas noted the collective effort responsible for progress on the landmark project;

“Success on projects which create a lasting legacy in our community, goes beyond the completion of a quality building. We are honoured to partner with GPT, Icon, our talented consultant and subcontractor team, project stakeholders and the local community to deliver one of Parramatta’s smartest buildings”.

George Bardas – RCC

 

 

MORE ABOUT 32 Smith Street Parramatta

The building will include a ground level ‘urban room’ event space, an elevated podium terrace facing the Parramatta River, a tree covered sky deck with panoramic views, as well as state-of-the-art End-of-Trip facilities with bike storage and lockers for future tenants.

“This A-Grade office building will be one of Parramatta’s standout landmarks and will only bolster the City of Parramatta’s vision to transform the CBD into a world-class commercial and cultural centre…
We are delighted QBE and Coleman Greig are committed to occupying this iconic building. 32 Smith Street will deliver state-of-the-art premises which promote cutting-edge technology and a workspace design set to accommodate modern working practices.”

Matthew Faddy – GPT

 

Consistent with GPT’s recently announced 2024 target of net zero carbon across their portfolio, the environmentally sustainable 32 Smith Street design was awarded a 6 Star Green Star rating and is targeting a 5 Star NABERS Energy rating.

More about 32 Smith

 

RCC to Fitout State-Of-The-Art University of Newcastle Central Coast Clinical School and Research Institute

August 28, 2020

The Central Coast Research Institute (CCRI) and University of Newcastle Central Coast Clinical School (UONCCCS) will house state-of-the-art research and learning areas including simulation wards and laboratories.

RCC is honoured to continue our partnership with the University of Newcastle (UoN), on the fitout of Central Coast Clinical School; after working with Health Infrastructure (HI) and the Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD) to design and construct the six-storey research and education facility base build on site at Gosford Hospital.

Being able to leave a legacy in our local community and deliver a facility which will have an enormous impact on students, staff and the Australian and international research community for generations, makes this project incredibly rewarding.

The Member for Robertson, Mrs Lucy Wicks MP commended RCC’s selection on this next stage of the development;

“As we move from the structural phase of construction to the detailed fit-out of the building, the reality of this world-class facility gets closer and I’m pleased that a regional business is continuing its work on this world-class facility”

Mrs Lucy Wicks MP

RCC has been awarded this third stage of the development, having had the privilege to be on site since 2017 delivering the previous Carpark and Building A Base Build projects. The Building A Base Build took more than 85,000 man-hours and included a curtain wall façade with over 500 individual panels and a stair void which stretches over 4 floors.

 

More about the CCRI and UONCCCS

The CCRI and UONCCCS will operate partnerships between the University of Newcastle and the Central Coast Local Health District, with staff and students expected to move into the new building in 2021.

Fly-through vision released this week by Mrs Lucy Wicks MP, Member for Terrigal Mr Adam Crouch MP, UoN Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alex Zelinsky AO, and CCLHD Chief Executive Dr Andrew Montague.

 

A future world-class research and state-of-the-art learning hub

Researchers will have access to dedicated and collaborative spaces, including specialist anatomy, histology and molecular laboratories and a microbiological physical containment level 2 – or PC2 – lab fit to carry out world-class research.

Lucy Wicks MP highlighted the broader long term impacts of the facility for the community;

“This first for the Central Coast will not only create a centre of excellence in healthcare, research and education right here on the Central Coast, but will also prove to be a huge economic boon for the region. We know that Universities can transform local economies like the Central Coast and help drive future job growth and opportunities.”

Lucy Wicks MP

The UoN’s new clinical school’s features include a 100-seat lecture space, library, simulation labs, and laboratory settings which are designed to provide students with exposure to real-life scenarios they are expected to encounter when they enter the public health workforce.

“The University of Newcastle believes that our new Central Coast Clinical School will strengthen the connection for students between education and healthcare on the Central Coast”.

UoN Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alex Zelinsky AO

Read more about this exciting facility from the University of Newcastle.

 

RCC has engaged with each project partner to ensure this multi-purpose facility meets the needs of each stakeholder and functions as a collaborative space to ultimately enhance user experience as well as education and research outcomes. The opportunity to be involved in delivering a building which will play a role in keeping our community healthy and well is such a rewarding part of what we do.

 

 

 

 

Meet Ana – She Loves Her Job

August 27, 2020

In celebration of being awarded the 10th Best Place to Work in Australia by Great Place to Work, RCC has interviewed 10 employees who love their job. RCC is honoured to have such passionate employees who jumped at the opportunity to share what they do, and why they love it.

 

Meet Ana Cella – A Design Manager with the RCC Industrial division.

Meet Ana Cella. Ana joined the RCC team over 5 years ago as a Project Engineer and progressed to her current role as Design Manager. Ana says it’s the strong family values at RCC that makes her job one to love.

“Before joining RCC, I was a client-side PM and was able to work with various RCC staff on a number of different projects. I was always intrigued by the family values and team approach to projects compared to other companies”

Since joining the team, Ana says she has been fortunate enough to receive invaluable mentorship from various department leaders, which has allowed her to build her own skill set through their industry knowledge and experience.

“I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with a variety of talented individuals in project delivery, new business, the executive team and design who have all been absolutely amazing. They are all such unique individuals who have succeeded in different ways, with different approaches. They have all been great mentors by always demonstrating the company values and showing me the RCC way.”

Over the years, Ana has gained valuable experience across a number of sectors and is now primarily working with RCC’s Industrial division on 2 or 3 live projects at one time. Ana says she has been surprised by the Industrial sector, with the project designs being so much more than a shed. Each bespoke project involves detailed coordination to ensure all components work and flow together and often integrates automation or considers food or medical storage requirements which makes the design process really interesting.

“Industrial warehouses have become more sophisticated, more complex and more exciting than they ever used to be”

With her sights set on becoming a Senior Design Manager or a Design Director in the future, Ana knows she is at the right place with her family at RCC.

“When I come to work and see the Crookes family in their offices, I know I am in the right place with my family…We are lucky to have the family’s strong passion and care on every project. To me, it is very important to have that level of care from the top set the tone for everyone on each job. It’s not just about the numbers, there is warmth and care there.”

We’re proud to have a workplace that promotes strong family values, but it’s our staff that ultimately make this possible.

 

MORE ABOUT THE 10TH BEST PLACE TO WORK

The Great Place to Work assessment is a feedback-based study obtained from a confidential survey of our 700+ employees. It involves an independent audit across areas like hiring and integration, health and wellness, as well as workplace culture.
2018 was the first year RCC entered the assessment and we were thrilled to be awarded 17th Best Place to Work. Within a year, we rolled out a number of new initiatives to better the experiences of our people. To be recognised as the 10th Best Place to Work this year is a credit to our continued commitment to ensuring that everyone at RCC genuinely looks forward to coming to work each day.

 

 

 

Wyong Hospital Topped Out

August 12, 2020

Topping out marks a major milestone in the delivery of this important health facility for the Central Coast Community.

Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, Health Minister Brad Hazzard, Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Adam Crouch and Member of the Legislative Council Taylor Martin joined RCC, Health Infrastructure, the Central Coast Local Health District to site to mark structural completion of the new six-storey building.

Impacts Beyond State-Of-The-Art Health Facilities

At such a key time during delivery, it was also a chance for us to reflect on the positive impact our project is having on the local workforce and economy.

To date, the project has created more than 800 jobs. With local workforce engagement already above 80% and 33 apprentices engaged thus far, the Wyong Hospital Redevelopment delivery is making a significant contribution to the local economy, now and into the future.

Thank you and congratulations to all our project partners; together we share a sense of pride in reaching this milestone on a facility which will service the local community for generations.

 

More About the Wyong Hospital Redevelopment

With the traditional topping out ceremony now complete, our team will now focus on fitting out the interior of the building.

The Wyong Hospital project involves the delivery of a new Clinical Services Building, which will provide the local Central Coast community with a new Emergency Department, additional operating theatres, and ICU/HDU capacity, mental health expansion, additional inpatient beds for medical and acute services, clinical and non-clinical support services and parking.

 

Take a virtual tour through the proposed new facilities, with this short Wyong Hospital Redevelopment fly-through:

 

Due for completion in 2022.

 

 

Creative Precast Column Solution

August 6, 2020

Precast column install commenced at St Bede’s Catholic College

This 22T, 12m high column is one of the biggest construction innovations helping build the St Bede’s Catholic College Chisholm.

RCC and Waeger Constructions’ bespoke precast column solution on the project involves sky high structural and architectural feature columns, being transported horizontally on trucks to site and rotated into their final vertical position.

Each precast column weighs approximately 22 tonnes, measuring in size from 1650 long x 500 wide and ranging in height from 7m-12m, without the need for any temporary propping. The columns which extend the full height to the underside of the roof and feature a tapered profile, externally visible around the perimeter of the building.

 

Pouring these columns insitu (on site) would have presented challenges in relation to materials, plant and labour requirements, so this precast column enhances project efficiency, quality and safety outcomes.

Increased quality control and the ability to form full length columns as well as adjustments to people and plant movements and delivery across multiple work fronts enhances our programme and safety management on site.

Our client, the Catholic Schools Office, St. Bede’s School Principal, and project partners all joined us on site to see the installation of the first 7 of the 51 precast columns.

Thank you to Waeger Constructions and the talented team of consultants and subcontractors partnering with us to deliver this exciting school project in Maitland, NSW.

Installation Timelapse

Keen to see installation in action? Check out the Column Installation timelapse video…